14 ZERO WASTE BATHROOM SWAPS

The bathroom has got to be one of the most overlooked places to recycle and waste less. We are focused on the glass Tupperware, buying in bulk, and recycling in the kitchen, that the last place we think to go zero waste is the bathroom. The bathroom is filled with the essentials like plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic lids, packaging from face products, etc.. All of those items have to go somewhere right? Just for fun, go take a look in your bathroom wastebasket. No really! Take a quick minute and go take a look!

Some of the things in your bathroom trash may include used cotton balls and Q-tips, an empty toothpaste tube, a disposable razor, used tampons and pads (Ewwww! I know, sorry but I had to say it), empty plastic deodorant containers, pumps from lotion bottles, plastic wrappers and more.

Before you start beating yourself up or get overwhelmed with not knowing where to start, just understand that most of this is avoidable. You can make tiny changes and swaps that can make a huge difference. That is what this post is all about.

What is zero waste?

Zero waste is an aspirational goal, not a reality. For me, I try my hardest to be smart and use products that serve my body and earth but I am not perfect; I am a work in progress. And I am guessing you are too. Zero waste is a shift in mindset that helps us evaluate what we buy and bring into our homes in terms of its effect on the planet. The end result is a lot less trash and that’s a good thing no matter what you decide to swap out. If living with less is something of interest to you, you may enjoy my Step by Step Guide to Decluttering With A Baby.

ZERO WASTE BATHROOM ESSENTIALS – PERSONAL CARE

Toothbrush –

Did you know that over 50 million pounds of plastic toothbrushes are thrown into our landfills?!! Instead of a plastic toothbrush, switch to a bamboo one. I personally love the charcoal-infused toothbrushes by Trulyecofriendly. You can get 4 of them for dirt cheap on Amazon.

Toothpaste-

Instead of a non-recyclable tube of toothpaste, switch to a toothpaste powderin a reusable tin or you can get really crafty and make your own. I personally enjoy Doterra’s toothpaste because it has a cinnamon flavor and then I alternate it with this gentle mint flavor. Both are fluoride free of course!

Hairbrush-

Instead of plastic brushes or combs, swap to a bamboo/ wooden brush. They are more gentle on your hair and so much cuter in my opinion. 🙂

Dental Floss-

Deodorant-

I have tried the gamut of these so-called “non-toxic” deodorants. Honestly, I don’t use deodorant. Nope, I am not stinky, don’t worry. It just works with my body chemistry. Every now and then I will throw one of these and they always help :

Shampoo

Conditioner

Conditioner you can have a lot of fun with. Instead of conditioner in a plastic bottle, switch to conditioner bar or can use what I use which is an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse, followed by a little bit of coconut oil on the ends. My hair has never felt so luscious!

Body Lotion

Instead of lotion in a plastic bottle, refill your lotion bottle at your local co-op. Or if you want to keep it simple like me, lather yourself in coconut oil and your favorite essential oil. Mine is Frankincense oil.

Face lotion

Instead of moisturizer in a plastic bottle, switch to products in glass jars that can be reused. (I reuse small glass jars for my own DIY face lotions)

Lip Balm

Living in Vegas, I had to find a great lip balm that actually worked. Instead of lip balm in a plastic container (sadly non-recyclable), switch to lip balm in a plastic-free containeror homemade lip balms in a tiny tin.

Makeup remover

Menstrual Cups

The average woman uses roughly 11,000 tampons in her lifetime. The time it takes for a tampon or pad to degrade in a landfill is centuries longer than the lifespan of the woman who used it, particularly when wrapped in a plastic wrapper or bag. Not to mention they are incredibly toxic. When I made the switch to the Diva cup, I couldn’t believe I didn’t ditch the tampons earlier. Convenient, super effective, and simply the best! So trash those harmful chemicals in those tampons and switch to a reusable menstrual cup.

Reusable pads

I only started using these postpartum because those Diva Cups did the trick, but again, something I wish I would have started earlier. Traditional menstrual pads are made with plastic and fragrance and that’s no good to have on your body, especially your lady parts. Do your girl a favor and get some cute reusable pads.